Hey, guys!

Sentai Red here! And I've decided to write another one-shot! This one is a little different as I wanted to write something that will happen, eventually, to all of us. Plus, it would be nice to see more 'elderly' adventures of Ash and Serena. I've thought of doing something like that too for a while now, and I figured, this would be a great way to jump start it.

I just have so many ideas, it's crazy!

Anyway, hope you enjoy!


Life sure goes by quick.

One minute you're just a 10-year-old boy, journeying throughout the world, with his Pokémon and battling everyone in the chance of being considered a Pokémon Master. And yet, here he is, 86 years old and sitting on their couch, watching the world pass him by as he stares out the window.

His beloved Pokémon have long since passed away or disappeared, but he never grieved. He loved them too much to ever cry for something natural as old age. In his eyes, why should he cry for them? They lived happily under his care, all growing old with him, having family of their own, their children going away to fend for themselves or be part of a journey for his kids and grandchildren. When his partner was the first one to go, he never shed a tear.

They promised each other that the other shan't cry for the others death.

His wife, a one Serena, still sits next to him.

She still retains that lovely smile of hers, one that he would never want to see go away. Despite being married for over 60 plus years, the love he has for her is still as fresh the day they got together. They've lived long lives, full of hardship and success – for every up, there was a down. However, they never gave up.

Their motto kept them going. Their love only ever increased.

Their bond was something beyond romance. It was as if they were destined for one another, decreed by only themselves.

Serena lays her head against his shoulder, a small hum of content escaping her mouth. He chuckles, "Yes?"

"I love you."

He smiles, kissing her head gently, "And I you."

They have raised incredible children, 4 to be precise. They even took care of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Their eldest, Lyon Ketchum, takes after his mother the most – a gentle boy that grew up to be a Pokémon Professor, studying the history of how Pokémon came to be, studying ancient fossils and even acknowledging that Pokémon, once upon a time, were mere creatures of no discernible note. They were mere animals, with no abilities, and lived off instinct with minor sentience.

Many people tried to discredit him, but he stood firm, taking parts of his father's behaviors with him, and boldly fighting against those who attempted to ridicule him. When he was able to prove his theories, people sought to understand how truly magical Pokémon were.

Their next child, Brielle Ketchum, is more like her father in every aspect. She was headstrong, passionate, impulsive, and courageous. She became a Pokémon Ranger, saving those in need, be it Pokémon or human. She became a strong trainer in her own right but found her passion to be helping those that can't protect themselves.

Frederick Ketchum is their last son and truly Ash reincarnated. He has taken Ash's dreams all those years ago and made it his own. He has become a living legend during his time as a Pokémon Trainer, becoming one of the few trainers out there to constantly battle Champions and often win. He became more of a legend when he went to train in Mt. Silver for two years and return to battle in the World Coronation Series, defeating his own father! Ash was more than happy to retire the role as 'World Monarch' to his son.

Lastly, but certainly not least, is their final daughter and youngest child: Aurora Ketchum. She became a Pokémon Coordinator and Performer, just like her mother. She took the longest to achieve her dream, but she was more than happy to have reached it after so long. While she couldn't have defeated her mother in Pokémon Showcases, due to Serena relinquishing the title years before her birth, she was more than happy to defeat her mom in a Contest.

All their children have grown up to be amazing people and amazing parents, as their own children have taken steps to becoming great. And even one of their own grandchildren are old enough to have kids of their very own! Serena just loves seeing all her babies with her, taking every moment to spend time with them and shower them with love.

That's not to say that Ash doesn't love them, he most certainly does! He's just nowhere near as expressive as his wife is, much to some of his own family's appreciation.

"Honey?"

He looks back to see Serena eying him curiously and he rubs her knee gently, "Yes?"

She worries, kissing his cheek, "Are you okay? You've been spacing out."

With a slow nod, he looks out the window, "Oh, I definitely am, dear." He looks at her with a small smile, "Just thinking about our lives and how great it has been."

She stares at him worriedly, but nods, holding his hand and kisses his knuckles, "It has been. But please don't lie to me, Ash. You've been spacing out a lot lately and-and you've been so tired lately… I've even noticed you've not been keeping up with anything, like you're just trudging along… Are you…?" She wipes away a tear forming in her eyes as he closes his eyes, lost in thought.

Truth be told, he can feel himself slipping away.

He has been trying to hide it for quite some time now, but his age has been creeping up on him and it's only a matter of time before he too passes on. He holds his emotional wife and kisses her head in comfort, "Honestly, Serena, I can feel the end has come for me. Not yet, but it's certainly on its way."

She sniffs, "I… I just didn't want to think about it… You've always been so full of life, but here you are – fading away right in front of me." She hugs him tightly, her tears hitting his shirt, making him sigh. He really didn't want to hurt his wife or make her cry.

"Ash… Are you scared?"

"Hm. I guess I'm more afraid of leaving you than I am of dying."

She looks at him with a small smile, "Even now, you still think of others before yourself, huh?" She absolutely loves him. No matter how long they've been with one another, no matter the number of intimate moments they've had with one another, he still always finds away to make her heart flutter when he does something sweet.

From the very beginning, Ash was always 'the one' for her and even when the two separated to have their own journeys, she always knew that she would see him again. She knew that she would marry him and raise a family with him. She always knew.

Growing old together was also something she knew she would do with him.

And yet, death to her seems so close. Closer than it ever has before.

She didn't want him to go, but if her husband, the brave fool that he is, isn't afraid of it, then she supposes she shouldn't be either. "It's not fair."

"No. No it really isn't."

He looks out the window, still holding his beloved in his arms, "If I could find a way to make us young again, I would. I'd spend an eternity with you and never take it for granted. With you, I feel like we just barely scratched the surface of what our love can be. When we married all those years ago, I was afraid of messing everything up. I was afraid that I'd make you mad and you leave me, or that I would never be a great father and husband. For so long, I was afraid, but thinking back on it… I was a fool to be afraid. We were, and still are, a great team – an amazing family and amazing partners. I wouldn't trade what I've done for the world."

"Who'd have thought that Ash Ketchum would be so romantic?"

"Only learned from the best."

"Brock?"

"Exactly."

The two laugh, the mood lightening up, but the intimacy remains. A moment of silence passes as they both breathe on each other. Ash's labored breathing makes Serena want to cry again, but she knows he wouldn't let her. He would tell her to be strong and to still hold on to their memories together. That's how Ash has always been. Even when Pikachu was the first to pass, she noticed he always held them dear to his heart. Sure, he would tear up and maybe some of it would just drop, but he never went out of his way to cry – he was strong and held the belief they'd meet again.

When her Pokémon passed, she bawled, but Ash held her tightly, whispering her sweet things to calm her down. He was always the rock in her life, she was always the emotional one, but she knew that both him and their Pokémon would never want them to cry over their passing – it's inevitable. However, one must always treasure the moments that remain.

Serena looks up to her husband, "I love you."

"I love you too."

The two hear knocking on the door, with Serena smiling once again. She knows who it is. She turns to see her husband looking at the door curiously, making her chuckle. "Dear, did you really forget? Our children are here to see us."

Ash nods slowly, his children… Yes. His children. He smiles, "How could I? I may be old and dying, but I'm not senile." He jokes, though refrains from laughing from his wife's small pout. He kisses her, making her lose that pout.

He holds her hand, slowly getting up from their couch, his legs shaking from the exertion, but he pushes forward. He helps her up, with her giving him a kiss as a thank you, much to his happiness.

The two walk together towards the door.

As they walk, Ash begins to reminisce about his life.

The day he met Serena at Professor Oak's Summer Camp.

The day he went on his journey with Pikachu.

Meeting friends such as Brock and Misty.

Reuniting with Serena, making new friends along the way and beyond.

Then he remembers their wedding, how huge and grand it was; he remembers his friends all congratulating them both. His mom and mother-in-law crying waterfalls as they watched their babies cut their cakes and fed themselves, taking photos with everyone.

Then Lyon was born. He remembers how quite Lyon was as a baby. Then Brielle, her boisterous cries were something he and Serena were waiting to hear. Then Frederick and then finally Aurora. All of them have been born with interesting personalities, making their family zany but close.

"Mom! Dad!"

His loving children, all grown up, hugging them both with love and warmth. He smiles, hugging them back, admiring them with a proud look. He's proud of who they are and what they've done. He turns to Serena, who dotes on her children like the mother that she is and always will be.

Yes.

It may be time to go, but for right now?

He thinks he has enough time left to be with his family.